Tennis-racket.



No. 879,477. V PATBNTED FEB. 1a, 1908.

- c. H. KRUGER.

TENNIS RAGKBT.

APPLICATION FILED MAE-12, 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. KRIIGER, OF BRADFORD, ENGLAND.

TENNIS-RACKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed March 12' 1906- Serial No. 305.736.

' of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tennis rackets, and has forits object the application of a moving weight to the handle 0 theracket, in such'a manner that the balance of the implement may not beimpaired, and that the striking power may be considerably increased,such additional power being applied at the desired time.

n describing my invention in detail, reference is made to theaccompanying sheet of drawings, similar letters indicating similarparts, in which,

: Figure 1 re resents a sectional elevation of a portion 0 a tennisracket, showing my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 re resents anenlarged cross section on line a. in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a detailhereinafter referred to. V

In carrying out my invention, I show and describe the same as a plied toa tennis racket, though it will be 0 vious that my improvement may be aplied to other implements for games and exercises, such as hockey sticks,cricket bats, baseball clubs, Indian clubs, golf clubs, and the like.

My improvement consists in the application of a moving weight to theinterior of the handle or like of the desired im lenient. In the case ofa tennis racket a. ho e or channel A is bored or otherwise suitablyformed in the handle B, such hole or channel bei of suitable diameterand length, exten 'ng preferably into the lignum vitae making up piece0. Into the channel A I insert a quail tity of mercury which willreadily travel up and down the channel, said mercury being very quickand certain in its action, and

I not liable to stick, the amount depending on individual choice. Thechannel may be bored in existing rackets, and after the desiredweight-medium has been placed there in, the end A of the channel stoppedup with a stopper or handle finishe off in the ordinary manner, as shownin Fig. 3; or the channel A may be formed in the handle B and making uppiece before the racket is put together.

The plug D may take the form of a screw plug, and be arranged so thatthe user of the implement may remove and refix the same should it befound necessary to'. alter the weight. It is desirable to have thechannel project as far into the piece C'as possible, and where a screwsuch as S is used, the channel A should be of larger diameter than thescrew. In the case of a cricket bat, the channel would be formed in theblade and extend towards the base of the same.

In implements provided with my improvement, a great increase in weightand striking and driving power may be obtained, without the balancebeing materially aflected and in the case where mercury is used, theadditional weight up to, say 5 ounces, in a 13 ounce racket, will behardly perceptible to the user, and in many instances the movement ofthe mercury, when the im lement is being used-for striking willmaterially assist the stroke.

What I claim as my invention is In implements for games and exercises, atennis racket handle including the lignum vitae making up piece,-saidhandle having an internal channel therein extending into the lignumvitae making up iece and a weight freely movable in said channelsaidweight being composed of mercury.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two"witnesses.

CHAS. H. KRI JGER:

Witnesses:

Lnwrs WAUGH, JosEPH F. KIRBY.

(plug D, and the end of the

